Lessons learned for Global from AFC Champions League
ITS maiden Asian Football Confederation Champions League proved to be short-lived but Philippine club Global FC is hardly deterred by it and has grown more determined, armed with the lessons it got from its latest international foray.
The buck stopped for Global in Asia’s premier club football tournament on Tuesday when it bowed to Brisbane Roar, 6-0, in their preliminary stage 2 qualifier.
While Global had its way in stage 1 against Singapore’s Tampines Rovers, 2- 0, in their stage 1 encounter here at home, in Brisbane it found the going tough against a Roar team that was in its element throughout the contest.
Roar forward Brandon Borrello scored four goals (12’, 26’, 30’ and 80’) while forward Manuel Arana had a brace (35’ and 65’) to tow their team to the dominant win and set a meeting with Chinese team Shanghai Shenhua on Feb. 8 for a playoff clash to determine who gets to advance to the main AFC Champions League competition which takes place until November.
“Brisbane Roar is really a strong team. Physically they were really tough and we were not able to match them throughout. It was important to score early goals to build confidence and we saw that in them,” said Global skipper Misagh Baha- doran in the post- match pressconference.
But the Global captain said their Champions League experience would only serve them well as they move on to their next challenges.
“We have to learn a lot from this experience and be stronger for the AFC Cup happening later this month. This is a good preparation for us as we have a better feel on where we are as a team. We did not lose anything going here and actually gained a lot. After this we prepare for the AFC Cup and I know coach [Toshiaki Imai] has a lot of plans for us,” Mr. Bahadoran said.
Global’s AFC Cup campaign begins on Feb. 21 here at home at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
It is bracketed in Group F along with Johor Darul Ta’zim from Malaysia, Magwe from Myanmar and a still-to-be-determined team.
Another Philippine club seeing action in Asia’s secondary club football tournament is CeresNegros which is in Group G along with Ha Noi of Vietnam, Felda United of Malaysia and Tampines Rovers of Singapore —